Composure under direct questioning is a critical capability for everyone, and it matters especially if you want to be seen as promotable to executive level.

The instinct is to answer fast. Resist it. What follows is a sequence you can run in the few seconds you actually have.

First, counteract the threat response with a pause

Remain still. Feel yourself expand and get taller. Don’t say anything.

Maintain eye contact with the person. Listen for the question behind the question.

Breathe, connect, land

Smile and breathe in deeply. Connect with your balance. Then breathe out and land. Smile again.

Breathe in, then speak out, reflecting back your understanding of the question. This buys your mind time to construct an appropriate response.

Take your time. Enjoy the moment. Turn it into a dialogue rather than an inquisition.

Then answer

When you are ready, breathe in and speak your words in short, concise phrases.

If you know the answer, say it. If not, don’t make it up. Say you don’t know, and that you will get back to them. This will instill confidence in your audience.